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Boeing awards $500,000 development grant to SIIT

Boeing has awarded a US$500,000 grant to the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT) in support of the on-going skills development of, and educational opportunities for, the next generation Aboriginal workforce. This investment is part of Boeing’s on-going Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) program related to Canada’s acquisition of its fifth C-17 Globemaster III airlifter and a demonstration of its on-going commitment to help prepare today’s students with the skills they need to advance their career.


June 21, 2016  By Boeing

“This donation is an investment in the future of these students at SIIT,” said Roger Schallom, senior manager for Boeing’s International Strategic Partnerships organization. “Their success will give them the skills and confidence they need to make a positive contribution to their employers, the economy and their communities – positioning them as true role models for the next generation of Aboriginal youth.”

In addition to its most recent donation, Boeing was an initial contributor to the Saskatchewan Aviation Learning Center (SALC) in Saskatoon, and continues to provide support today. The SALC is the primary location of the SIIT aircraft maintenance engineering program, which gives students to ability to develop knowledge and skills required to complete the training necessary to be eligible to apply as licensed apprentice in the aircraft maintenance industry. In 2015, Boeing announced support for information technology infrastructure improvements at SIIT that included a new network structure, unified communications, and up-to-date hardware.

“Boeing continues to demonstrate full support for our institution. They are a tremendous partner to SIIT and on behalf of the SIIT Board of Governors and our students I would like to express our deep appreciation for this investment. Technology has become the new platform on which we communicate and connect. This investment ensures we can do that. Our learners will benefit greatly,” said Riel Bellegarde, president and CEO of SIIT.

Combined with Boeing’s work throughout the country, the company has injected US$7.5 billion into the Canadian aerospace industry since 2009, adding more than US$1.3 billion in economic value to Canada in 2015 alone.

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Canada has been a customer, a supplier and a partner to Boeing in both the defence and commercial sectors since 1919. Today, more than 97 years later the company employs approximately 2,000 highly-skilled Canadian workers at facilities across the country. Canada is home to one of the largest international supplier bases for Boeing – including more than 560 suppliers spanning every region of the country. Boeing has demonstrated its commitment to working with Canadian companies under the government’s Industrial and Regional Benefits program, and the current ITB program, having successfully completed more than US$6.7 billion in Canada, with another US$2.9 billion in high-value programs currently under way.

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